Election to replace Emerson to cost about $1M

Weeks after winning re-election to a 10th term, the Cape Girardeau Republican announced earlier this month she is retiring from Congress in February to become president and CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

The Southeast Missourian reports taxpayers will likely pay about $1 million for the special election to replace Emerson. Missouri’s 8th Congressional District makes up 30 counties in south-central and southeast Missouri.

Gov. Jay Nixon will set a date for the special election, which will be paid for from the state’s Election Subsidy fund. If the election date coincides with a date for local elections, the cost would be split between local governments and the state.

Emerson issued a statement Friday suggesting she may move up her Feb. 8 resignation date if doing so would allow enough time to set a special election for April 2 to choose her replacement.

So far, Gov. Jay Nixon has not indicated when he would schedule the election in Missouri's 8th Congressional District.